Counting last year's fruit
Gratitude and growth, month by month
Happy New Year, friends! It’s good to be back in this space.
In lieu of sharing 2026 goals (I decided to forego goal setting for this year), I’m counting the fruit of 2025.
This exercise was inspired by one of my favorite writers, Jess Connolly, who shared a partial list just before Christmas.
As Jess explains it, counting the fruit is about more than gratitude; it’s taking the time to “notice what God has been growing.”
Coming out of a year of intense burnout, I knew this exercise would be, well, fruitful — even if I didn’t feel particularly motivated to do it (or really anything after the holidays).
Reflecting on how He consistently works in and through us is a reminder that God is always with us, and that His light will eventually pierce even the darkest days.
What follows are the highlights from each month because, once I started, I realized counting all the fruit would require much more time than I had.
The fruit of 2025
January
I started this blog at a Starbucks in an old Connecticut strip mall, as I waited for my brother and father to pick me up in their rental car so we could visit my grandmother in hospice. The year already felt uncertain and heavy, and I wasn’t sure what would come of this space — or if I’d maintain the motivation of regularly posting.
The day ended up being incredibly special. My grandmother had a rare, hours-long stretch of clarity — her longest in a while — and our visit was full of laughter and memories.
And this blog? I don’t have a ton of subscribers or followers, but the number is still more than I imagined, and I treasure the ability to share my words with you and receive feedback.
February
My husband and I headed to Lake Lure for a long weekend of delicious food, naps, long conversations by the fire, and little else. It was a time of reconnection and rest that we both desperately needed.
March
This was a quiet month, but a highlight was the annual Scouts Pinewood Derby. I love watching the kids exercise their creativity as they conceptualize, then build, their cars.
April
I was fortunate to take a continuing education class at Duke University as part of my company’s generous professional development program. It was challenging and inspiring and exactly what I needed during a time in which I felt professionally stagnant.
May
This month was a doozy. We lost our dear pug Penelope, but in the best possible circumstances. She was at home, on her favorite blanket, surrounded by all of us and enveloped in love as she peacefully passed. Additionally, I was in the throes of burnout, more exhausted than ever, despite two recent beach getaways.
In His infinite goodness, God sent me the word crocus, a much-needed reminder that desolation and sorrow can lead to beauty and revival.
June/July
In early June, I was honored to have a deeply personal essay I’d worked on for over a year published in the Coffee + Crumbs summer collection. My main purpose in writing is to help others feel seen, understood, and less alone, and I was overjoyed to receive messages and comments from other women noting my words helped them.
At the end of the month, we kicked off our cross-country road trip! The two-week excursion was full of adventure and fun, but there were definite hiccups along the way. Without a doubt, God watched over us on that trip (we narrowly dodged a tire blowout that could have caused serious injuries).
August
As it always is here in the Carolinas, August was brutally hot. Nearly one hundred-degree temperatures combined with sky-high humidity meant you started sweating as soon as you stepped outside (possibly even beforehand if your air conditioning wasn’t cranked up).
But as many Carolinians do, I ventured outdoors anyway to meet a former colleague I hadn’t seen in a while at an adult book fair. Did I sweat through my clothes? Absolutely.
But I was with my dear friend and surrounded by books and book merch, so I was happy as a (partially cooked) clam. Spending time with her was a beautiful reminder of the wonderful people I’ve worked with over the years — many who remain friends today.
September
My daughter was finally old enough to participate in Girls on the Run, so I returned to coaching to lead her and her friends during their first season. It was a small but spirited team, and I loved getting to know each and every girl while watching my daughter deepen her love for running.
October
October was incredibly full, but incredibly fun. There was the kids’ birthday (including an epic outdoor movie night-themed party), Halloween, and a night out with my husband and one of my best friends to see the endlessly-inspiring Stevie Nicks.
November
A highly unusual snowstorm and my essay published in Her View from Home. This month was one of both expected and unexpected delights.
December
Despite the holiday hustle, we as a family intentionally slowed down this year. Rather than doing all the Christmas activities, we chose a few to enjoy. Instead of four types of cookies, we baked only our favorite. And while we could have packed our weekends with events, we left a few open so we could truly enjoy the season and rare unstructured time together as a family.
The result? This was the first year in many that I didn’t get sick after the holidays because I’d run myself ragged. The kids had the time to build the Home Alone Lego house after wanting to do it for a couple years. We were able to attend our neighborhood’s annual holiday party (the best one yet!) and spend time with the lovely people we call neighbors.
Rather than exhausted, I entered 2026 excited and so, so grateful.
Prompt & reflection
Take a look through your 2025 calendar, planner, and/or journals, then spend thirty minutes jotting down the year’s highlights and fruit. What did God grow in you? Are you surprised by what you’ve discovered?